My Blog is named after a reform attempt lead by a group of academics - the Columbia Spelling Board - at the beginning of the 20th Century. They proposed changing the spelling of many English words to more closely match the way they are pronounced. Many of their recommendations circled around cleaning up old English words that contained many extra or silent letters. The crux of the story is that while the suggested changes would have benefited future generations, the movement failed. Ironically, several of the recommendations were implemented as English in the US naturally evolved over time. While 'Circular number 6' was a great, logical, progressive idea, people could not be forced to accept change, even if they and their offspring were ultimately to benefit.
I feel like I'm contributing to a modern-day Circular number 6 - the bulk of American society is too short sighted to see what is good for them. Need I point to exhibit A, George W Bush?
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